Jim McErlean has joined JOH as vice president of produce, North Central.

McErlean brings nearly two decades of experience across the retail and CPG landscape, with a strong track record of building partnerships and driving growth across the Midwest produce market. He began his career at a Chicago-based food brokerage, where he built a strong foundation in retail and CPG sales while developing key relationships across the region.

California Dates has announced a new sports brand ambassador partnership with tennis legend, Grand Slam champion and International Tennis Hall of Famer Michael Chang, celebrating the power of naturally sweet, nutrient-rich California Dates for athletes, fitness enthusiasts and active families.

PanAmerican Seed announced the charity it will support for the 2026 gardening season through its popular brand of Beacon Impatiens. This year, the company will partner with Roots for Youth, an organization founded by the Bradford Greenhouses Family Trust in Ontario, Canada. The group empowers teens and young adults who have endured family tragedies by providing bursaries (scholarships) for post-secondary education.

Plant Grow Harvest is entering the spring season with strong availability across both conventional and organic potato programs under its growing Digs brand.

The company’s strong crop performance and expanded production position PGH to support retail partners with dependable supply while continuing to build momentum behind the Digs brand, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary since launching at SEPC Southern Exposure in 2025.

Clean Works, a global leader in advanced food-safety technology, announced the appointment of Ellise Fallon as senior sales executive, effective immediately. Fallon will focus on driving commercial expansion and strengthening strategic customer partnerships as the company continues to scale its global footprint. She reports to Michele Visser, Clean Works vice president.

Mandarins originated in Southeast Asia and China, dating back approximately 4,000 years. Historical accounts suggest that missionaries introduced mandarins to Southern California in the 1800s, while others report they arrived with miners during the Gold Rush. Currently, California supplies over 90 percent of the U.S. mandarin market, with the San Joaquin Valley serving as the leading production area. California mandarins are available from November through April.